U.S. patent number 7,088,995 [Application Number 10/318,301] was granted by the patent office on 2006-08-08 for common service platform and software.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Far EasTone Telecommunications Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Herman Rao.
United States Patent |
7,088,995 |
Rao |
August 8, 2006 |
Common service platform and software
Abstract
The invention advantageously provides a mobile common service
platform and software in telecommunications systems. A common
service platform (CSP) according to the invention is an integrated
platform that supports both wireless and landline mobile services
and business transactions. A CSP system according to the invention
includes a common service platform or CSP for integrating a
plurality of applications into a single platform for multiple uses
in a plurality of communications systems. The CSP is connected with
the plurality of applications and a plurality of users. Multiple
users in different communications systems having varied
communications protocols can utilize generally the same application
(as selected by the users) through the CSP. Requests for uses in
different communications system are transferred to the CSP for
conversion into generally the same format that is acceptable by a
selected application. Outputs from the selected application are
transferred into formats that are acceptable by the requesting
user. The CSP system advantageously enables a communications system
to be quickly offered to market in conjunction with value-added
services through applications rendered by third party service
providers.
Inventors: |
Rao; Herman (Taipei,
TW) |
Assignee: |
Far EasTone Telecommunications Co.,
Ltd. (Taipei, TW)
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Family
ID: |
26981414 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/318,301 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2002 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20030139174 A1 |
Jul 24, 2003 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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60341171 |
Dec 13, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/418; 455/410;
455/419; 455/422.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L
29/06 (20130101); H04Q 3/0029 (20130101); H04W
88/16 (20130101); H04L 67/16 (20130101); H04L
67/24 (20130101); H04L 67/2823 (20130101); H04L
67/306 (20130101); H04L 67/04 (20130101); H04L
67/02 (20130101); H04L 69/329 (20130101); H04Q
2213/13003 (20130101); H04Q 2213/1305 (20130101); H04Q
2213/13098 (20130101); H04Q 2213/13175 (20130101); H04Q
2213/13196 (20130101); H04Q 2213/13336 (20130101); H04Q
2213/13375 (20130101); H04Q 2213/13376 (20130101); H04Q
2213/13389 (20130101); H04W 4/18 (20130101); H04L
69/08 (20130101); H04L 67/2838 (20130101); H04L
67/2871 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04M
3/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;455/418,419,422.1,426.1,428,432.1,432.2,433,405,406,410 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Feild; Joseph
Assistant Examiner: Nguyen; Huy D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hsu; Winston
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present patent application relates to, and claims priority of,
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/341,171 filed on
Dec. 13, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
Claims
I claim:
1. A common service platform (CSP) system comprising: a
telecommunications network; a common service platform (CSP)
communicable with a plurality of applications and a plurality of
end users through said telecommunications network; a plurality of
user requests from said end users to said common service platform
(CSP); a gateway communicable with said end users and said
telecommunications network and converting protocols therebetween; a
plurality of converters converting content formats into a same
format acceptable by one selected application out of said
applications in response to said user requests; a service network;
a plurality of application service providers (ASPs) communicable
with said service network; a core network further comprising a
plurality of home location registers (HLRs) and visitor location
registers (VLRs); and an access network communicable with said core
network; wherein data are output from said selected application in
a transferred format acceptable to said end users.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said applications further comprise
at least one application program interface (API) common to all of
said end users.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein said access network is
communicable with a network further comprising the Internet, public
switched telephone network (PSTN), integrated services digital
network (ISDN), global system for mobile communications (GSM) and
universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS).
4. The system of claim 1, said service network further comprising a
services/application layer communicable with said core network,
which serves as a platform for Internet protocol (IP)
applications.
5. The system of claim 1, said core network further comprising: a
control layer providing call control, session management and
mobility management for terminal devices; and a connectivity layer
handling user data.
6. The system of claim 5, said user data further comprising
transport, switching and routing data.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein said common service platform
(CSP) is communicable with a plurality of user terminal devices
comprising mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs),
pagers, handheld computers, palmtop computers, pocket computers,
and notebook computers.
8. The system of claim 1 further comprising: a backend system
communicable with said common service platform (CSP); a
standardized platform; and a plurality of application service
provider (ASP) servers interfacing with said standardized platform
and said backend system.
9. The system of claim 1, said common service platform (CSP)
providing device abstraction for a plurality of terminal devices
wherein all of said terminal devices are treated as an abstract
entity in hiding complexities of said core network and said access
network from said application service providers.
10. The system of claim 9, said common service platform (CSP)
providing unified application programming interfaces for network
resources and backend systems.
11. The system of claim 1, said applications further comprising
user service, location service, content service, access service,
application registration service, charging service, event service,
payment service, backend system service, system management and
administration service.
12. The system of claim 11, said user service further comprising
user profiles for said end users for end user identification,
personalization and authentication.
13. The system of claim 11, said location service further
comprising location information for devices of said end users.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein said system management and
administration service administers said user profiles.
15. The system of claim 11, said location service further
comprising location information supporting location-dependent
applications for different mobile networks and Internet protocol
(IP)-based telephony.
16. The system of claim 11, said content service storing
information about a plurality of content providers.
17. The system of claim 11, said access service providing developer
access for application developers independent from access by said
end users.
18. The system of claim 11, said access service providing setup,
maintenance and release of communications between said end users
and said applications.
19. The system of claim 11, said application registration service
supporting said charging service by providing charging rates of
said applications.
20. The system of claim 11, said charging service supporting
revenue sharing among a plurality of application developers for
said applications wherein a post processing system respectively
bills said end users.
21. The system of claim 11, said charging service generating and
logging charging details.
22. The system of claim 11, said event service further comprising:
a plurality of simple events; a plurality of complex events as
combinations of a number of said simple events; and a plurality of
triggers causing specified responses from said system.
23. The system of claim 22, said triggers further comprising
time-critical triggers and non-time-critical triggers.
24. The system of claim 11, through said event service, said
applications defining a plurality of simple events and specifying
information to be logged when said defined events occur.
25. The system of claim 11, through said event service, said
applications defining a plurality of triggers and actions
respectively associated with said triggers.
26. The system of claim 11, said system management and
administration service further supporting performance management,
fault management, configuration management, and security
management.
27. The system of claim 11, said payment service further managing
merchant records, reporting payment transactions, managing data
mining and call center operations.
28. The system of claim 1 further comprising a network resource
service providing call processing capabilities in said system.
29. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of
severity levels including a fatal level, a critical level, a
warning level, and a harmless level.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention claimed in the present patent application generally
relates to telecommunications and, more particularly, an optimal
architecture for mobile common service platform and software in
telecommunications systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
Mobile Internet access, that is, communications through mobile
phones, pagers, desktop and palmtop computers, personal digital
assistants (PDAs), and other hand-held electronic devices to the
Internet, is increasingly important to society and commerce. The
applications content available for private mobile Internet users
currently include short message service (SMS), e-mail, news,
weather, financial information, e-commerce (such as book ordering
or investing services), and other services and information sources.
Furthermore, mobile phones with built-in Global Positioning System
(GPS) receivers can pinpoint the mobile device user's position so
that proximate restaurant and navigation information services can
be accessed. For commercial users, corporate intranets operating in
conjunction with the Internet provide corporate information to
employees in the field who can relay information back to
headquarters. Wireless mobile Internet access is widespread in
Japan and Scandinavia and demand is steadily increasing elsewhere.
Efficient mobile Internet access and new applications can utilize
the new high-transmission rate systems such as the General Packet
Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE),
and the Third Generation Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
(3G-UMTS) in conjunction with the presently available landline,
fixed line networking, Global System for Mobile communications
(GSM), code-division multiple access (CDMA), wireless application
protocol (WAP) and other telecommunications systems.
As mobile Internet bandwidth increases, the number and variety of
applications can also increase. A fundamental problem in
communications networks is the so-called m*n complexity. That is,
if there are m terminal devices and n applications service provider
(ASP) servers, then the number of routes required for each terminal
device to access an ASP server is m multiplied by n, which clearly
results in an extremely complex system. ASP refers to a server side
scripting language running under an Internet information server
(IIS) for generating hypertext markup language or HTML.
Conventional telecommunications operators currently can add
applications and services only on an ad hoc basis requiring
specific, distinct connectivity, interfaces, billing,
authentication and data protocols for each new application. In
other words, the conventional carrier is a dumb pipe, which merely
transmits the signals and cannot assist the operator, application
provider, or user.
A general need therefore exists in the art for an optimal
architecture for mobile common service platform and software in
telecommunications systems that advantageously overcomes at least
the aforementioned and other shortcomings in the art. In
particular, a need in the art exists for a telecommunications
system that advantageously promotes standardized, open connectivity
for service and applications providers in attracting and
facilitating providers so that services will attract users.
Another need generally exists in the art for a relatively seamless
integration of access methods using multiple types of devices and
content hosts, i.e., convergence of mobile Internet applications,
in providing a comprehensive information and service environment
for users.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention advantageously provides a mobile common service
platform and software in telecommunications systems. A common
service platform (CSP) according to the invention is an integrated
platform that supports both wireless and landline mobile services
and business transactions. A CSP system according to the invention
includes a common service platform or CSP for integrating a
plurality of applications into a single platform for multiple uses
in a plurality of communications systems. The CSP is connected with
the plurality of applications and a plurality of users. Multiple
users in different communications systems having varied
communications protocols can utilize generally the same application
(as selected by the users) through the CSP. Requests for uses in
different communications system are transferred to the CSP for
conversion into generally the same format that is acceptable by a
selected application. Outputs from the selected application are
transferred into formats that are acceptable by the requesting
user. The CSP system advantageously enables a communications system
to be quickly offered to market in conjunction with value-added
services through applications rendered by third party service
providers.
The invention further provides a software structure of a CSP system
for integrating a plurality of applications into a single platform
for multiple uses in a plurality of communications systems. A
preferred embodiment of the software structure of a CSP system
according to the invention primarily comprises a client layer
having a plurality of client devices, a presentation and channel
layer for providing presentation functions and communications
channel management, a business logic layer providing applications
(such as e-commerce applications), an infrastructure layer, a
peripheral layer including a plurality of peripheral devices for
the CSP system, and a universal layer for providing authentication,
data security service and system management.
The invention, including at least the preferred and other
embodiments described herein, accordingly provides an optimal
architecture for mobile common service platform and software in
telecommunications systems that advantageously overcomes at least
the aforementioned and other shortcomings in the art, and more
particularly, a telecommunications system that advantageously
promotes standardized, open connectivity for service and
applications providers in attracting and facilitating providers so
that services will attract users. The invention advantageously
provides seamless integration of access methods using multiple
types of devices and content hosts, i.e., convergence of mobile
Internet applications, in providing a comprehensive information and
service environment for users. According to the invention, terminal
devices, and particularly mobile phones, are advantageously
provided with efficient and ready access to services and
applications through the Internet and other networks, where mobile
commerce ("m-commerce") is optimally achieved and realized. The
virtuous cycle of a large installed base of users attracting
applications providers with the number of users increasing because
of the new applications is advantageously realized as well, where
the convenience and efficiency of providing those applications to
users are optimally implemented in accordance with the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing features and advantages of the invention will become
more apparent in the following Detailed Description when read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings (not necessarily drawn
to scale), in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram generally illustrating an overview of a
network architecture utilizing the common service platform (CSP)
according to a general embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram generally illustrating a convergent
network having a services network communicable with a plurality of
application service providers (ASPs) according to another general
embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram generally illustrating an open system
architecture (OSA) having a layered system for services and
applications in a telecommunications system according to a
preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram generally illustrating a common service
platform (CSP) according to another preferred embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram generally illustrating another exemplary
common service platform (CSP) with a network operations center
(NOC) and billing system, services, core network and access network
according to a further embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an exemplary
relational service structure of a common service platform (CSP)
according to another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an exemplary
architecture for a common service platform (CSP) according to a
further preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 8 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates an
exemplary plurality of services supported by a common service
platform (CSP) according to another preferred embodiment of the
invention; and
FIG. 9 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an exemplary
software architecture of a common service platform (CSP) according
to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram that generally illustrates an overview of
a network architecture utilizing the common service platform (CSP
12) according to a general embodiment of the invention. According
to this particular embodiment of the invention, a network 14, CSP
12, a plurality of devices 11, applications 10 and content hosts 13
are provided. CSP 12 is connectible with, and at the nexus of, a
plurality of applications 10, a plurality of terminal devices 11,
and a plurality of content hosts 13. The CSP 12 is communicable
with other users through a network 14. A plurality of application
programming interfaces (APIs) 15 are provided in conjunction with
the CSP 12 to shield the underlying network 14 by abstraction of
the capabilities of network 14 and terminal devices 11, such as
communications technology abstraction and content channeling.
Furthermore, the end users 20 and 21 are communicable with the
network 14 through the gateways 30 and 31, respectively. However,
in the CSP system, the systems or devices of the end users may have
protocols different from that used in the CSP. The gateways serve
to convert the protocols in the users' devices into the protocols
used in the network 14 so that the CSP 12 is communicable with the
end users. Even though only one application is stored in the CSP,
end users of systems or devices having different protocols can use
the resource in the CSP system instead of preparing and
implementing the same application having different protocols in
their systems or devices. For the CSP system according to the
invention, only one copy of application is necessary, which is
stored in the CSP.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram generally illustrating a convergent
network 200 having a services network 210 communicable with a
plurality of application service providers (ASPs) according to
another general embodiment of the invention. According to this
particular embodiment of the invention, the service network 210
having ASPs, core network 220 having home location registers (HLRs)
211 and visitor location registers (VLRs), and access network 230
are provided in the convergent network 200 that is communicable
with GSM network 221, UMTS network 222, the Internet 223 and PSTN
or ISDN 224.
ASPs 201, 202, 203, . . . are communicable with the service network
210 via landline or wireless communications. Immediately below the
services network 220 is an operator's core network 220 comprising
exemplary home location registers (HLRs) 211 and visitor location
registers (VLRs, as used in wireless GSM) 212. The Home Location
Registers (HLRs) contain a database comprising subscriber
information, such as user profiles, current location and other
administrative information. The Visitor Location Registers (VLRs)
comprise a database containing location information of all of the
mobile stations. Communicating with the core network 220 is an
access network 230 that is communicable with GSM 221, UMTS 222,
other telecommunications systems such as the Internet 223 or
exemplary public switched telephone network (PSTN) or integrated
services digital network (ISDN) 224.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram that generally illustrates an open system
architecture (OSA) having a layered system for services and
applications in a telecommunications system according to a
preferred embodiment of the invention. According to this particular
embodiment of the invention, a service network having
service/application layer 310, and core network 220 having a
control layer 320 and connectivity layer 330 are provided. An
exemplary services network 210 (such as network 210 of FIG. 2)
comprises a services/applications layer 310, which is a platform
for Internet protocol (IP) applications of all kinds. The
services/applications layer is communicable with the core network
220 through various communications protocols provided by the
telecommunications operator or provider. Each computer or device
node or terminal device over the Internet includes a unique 32-bit
IP address.
Through a variety of communications protocols, the services or
applications layer 310 is communicable with an exemplary core
network 220 (such as network 220 of FIG. 2), which comprises a
control layer 320 that provides call control, session management,
mobility management for terminal devices. The core network 220
further comprises a connectivity layer 330 that provides user data
handling such as transport, switching, and routing user data.
The unified connectivity mechanism according to the invention
(structurally illustrated as the connectivity layer 330 in FIG. 3)
provides abstract channel access to, e.g., wireless application
protocol (WAP) protocols in conjunctions such as WAP/GPRS, WAP/CSD
(circuit switched data), unstructured supplementary service data
(USSD), and through the Internet. Various gateways are also
integrated with the common service platform (CSP) according to the
invention through the connectivity layer 330, such as WAP GW, CGSN,
and SMSC, where a variety of messaging services are advantageously
provided. By separating the connectivity layer 330 from the
applications logic, applications and service providers are shielded
from the complexities of network interconnections. User profiles
and single log-in capability allow customized access to all
services and applications with a single log-in, where convenience
and ease of use are advantageously provided to end users. The
connectivity layer 330 according to the invention can also provide
means for session management by the telecommunications carriers as
needed and centralized control for the carriers, end users and
service providers.
Further facilitating the convenience and ease of use for services
and applications providers, a connectivity layer 330 according to a
specific embodiment of the invention provides multiple service
hosting located on a trusted domain (e.g., the proprietary systems
of telecommunications carriers) or on an application domain (e.g.,
through an un-trusted access to the Internet). Further embodiments
of the common service platform (CSP) according to the invention
further include up-call, time-out, application write transaction
log, acknowledgement (ACK to ensure service delivery), and error
handling. In given embodiments of the invention, the unified access
application programming interfaces for the connectivity layer 330
utilize universal resource locator (URL), extensible markup
language (XML) or hypertext transport protocol (HTTP). An URL is a
platform independent manner for specifying a file or resource over
the Internet. XML is an international standard for handling random
access ram (RAM) and data communications bandwidth for creating
markup languages. HTTP is a protocol used by web browsers for
transporting text and graphics over the Internet, where web pages
are retrieved one at a time as opposed to set up a session
connecting to the Internet.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram that generally illustrates a common
service platform (CSP 410) according to another preferred
embodiment of the invention. According to this particular
embodiment of the invention, CSP 410, a plurality of terminal
devices 411, a plurality of applications/service computers 412,
network resources 420 and backend system 430 are provided. An
exemplary common service platform (CSP 410) is communicable with a
plurality of exemplary user terminal devices 411, including mobile
phones 401, 402, 403 and 404, personal digital assistant (PDA)
devices 405 and 406, pager device 407, handheld or pocket computer
408 and notebook computer 409. Also communicable with CSP 410 are a
plurality of services or applications computers 412, such as
servers. CSP 410 is further communicable with network resources 420
and a back end system 430 (e.g., accounting and data warehousing).
CSP 410 further provides a standardized platform for ASP servers
412 to interface with, where the readily available provision of
services and applications to user terminal devices 411 is
advantageously optimal and efficient.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram that generally illustrates another
exemplary common service platform (CSP 510) with a network
operations center (NOC) for providing network control functions and
billing system 520 for billing end users charges for the services
provided by the CSP system, a plurality of services 525, a core
network 530 as an underlying structure for communicating with outer
environments, and an access network 540 according to a further
embodiment of the invention. According to this particular
embodiment of the invention, CSP 510, NOC 520, services 525, core
network 530 and access network 540 are provided. CSP 510
advantageously provides device abstraction, where all terminal
devices are accordingly treated as an abstract entity rather than
different devices requiring different data and communications
handling. With device abstraction, CSP 510 advantageously hides the
complexity of the core network 530 and access network 540 from the
service providers, and unified application programming interfaces
for network resources and backend systems (such as networks 420 and
430, respectively, of FIG. 4).
The exemplary common service platform (CSP 510) according to the
invention, advantageously separates the business logic from the
applications logic and content sources in providing an efficient,
standardized and convenient means for implementing new services and
applications through telecommunications service providers to the
end users. The invention as embodied in a common service platform
(e.g., CSP 510) transforms the conventional dump pipe of
telecommunications carriers into a so-called smart pipe in meeting
the needs of new services and applications. The CSP 510 is
advantageously data oriented, as opposed to the voice orientation
of telephony systems in the art. Moreover, the invention
advantageously provides an open system architecture, blue print and
standardized applications programming interface for efficient and
easy use by application service providers. With the common service
platform according to the invention, content service providers and
other third party service providers (such as business, equity
markets, weather, sports, entertainment, retailing services) can
advantageously focus on their applications and services rather on
the intricacies of the interfaces with the telecommunications
system, where time and resources are advantageously conserved for
optimal services and applications design and delivery to end users.
In operation, the common service platform (e.g., CSP 510) according
to the invention acts as a unified connectivity mechanism for
accessing and providing services using a built-in portal provided
between the telecommunications network and the Internet. The CSP
according to the invention further provides publicity display for
services and applications providers with priority placement for
menu display of terminal devices (which is described in further
detail below). For business logic, the CSP according to the
invention further includes revenue sharing for application service
providers, telecommunications carriers, or other participating
providers (e.g., advertisers and media). The CSP further provides
interface and middleware for backend systems of billing and data
warehouses (such as efficient user billing, and reverse billing to
service providers). Accordingly, the business logic according to
the invention advantageously provides a cohesive and synergistic
basis for partnership encompassing service providers and
telecommunications carriers.
A preferred embodiment of the revenue-sharing mechanism according
to the invention (schematically illustrated as the billing system
520 of FIG. 5) utilizes micro-payments for applications and
services use on a data-charging basis (as opposed to voice
telephony duration charging). The common service platform (CSP 510)
according to the invention generates charging information between
third party service providers and telecommunications carriers. A
billing record is generated, filtered by a mediation device to add
any desired adjustments, and then transmitted for an accounting in
payment settlement. A dynamically configurable matrix provides
different pricing or revenue-sharing arrangements as desired.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates an
exemplary relational service structure of a common service platform
(CSP 610) according to another embodiment of the invention.
According to this particular embodiment of the invention, CSP 610,
GSM network 640, IP network 650, telephony services 620, data
services 630, service providers 602 for service subscribers 601,
enterprise resources 660, connectors 625, and workflow device 615
are provided. CSP 610 is communicable with telephony services 620
and service provider 630 for data services. An exemplary GSM
network 640 and Internet protocol (IP) network 650 are also
communicable with the CSP 610. End users or service subscribers 601
access CSP 610 through their terminal devices (not shown), which
are communicable with the GSM network 640 and IP network 650. The
service providers 602 access CSP 610 through the IP network 650.
The workflow device 615 is coupled to CSP 610 to serve as the
connection to exemplary enterprise resources 660 through the
connectors 625. Exemplary enterprise resources 660 comprise
accounting, financial, resource management, and associated programs
and devices.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates an
exemplary architecture for a common service platform (CSP 710)
according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention.
According to this particular embodiment of the invention, CSP 710,
end user services 720, network 730, a plurality of terminal devices
701, 702, 703 and 704, business services 740, a plurality of
services and applications 711, 712, 713, 714, 715, 716, 717, 718
and 719, a plurality of functional services 721, 722, 723, 724,
725, 726, 727, 728, 729 and 730, a plurality of functional
capabilities 732, 733, 734, 735, 736, 737 and 738, third party
integration 741, front office systems 742, back office systems 743,
infrastructure 744, and data warehouses 745 are provided.
The common service platform (CSP 710) according to the invention
advantageously provides the common platform for end user or
consumer value-added services 720 through the Internet or another
network 730 (such as a local area network or LAN, wide area network
or WAN, and metropolitan area network or MAN) that is communicable
with end users having terminal devices exemplified by personal
digital assistant or PDA 701, mobile phone 702, personal computer
or PC 703, and other handheld devices 704. Business value-added
services 740, such as those with locators, standardized forms
(e.g., insurance damage or inventory reports), selected business
information, are also communicable with the common service platform
(CSP 710) and network 730 to provide .business services to
corporate end users. Exemplary applications and services according
to the invention include, but not limited to, shopping 711 (e.g.,
retailing, ticket purchases, auctions, hotel and restaurant
reservations), personal information management or PIM 712 (e.g.,
calendar, contact list, to do list, records or personalized data),
entertainment 713 (e.g., games, video, music or gambling),
information 714 (e.g., news, stocks, sports or search engines),
financial services 715 (e.g., banking, brokering, bills or
electronic payment), marketing 716 (e.g., advertising, promotions,
coupons or customized items), location services 717 (e.g.,
navigation, sightseeing, road assistance or individual tracking),
customer care 718 (e.g., frequently asked questions or FAQs,
instructions, help desk or issue tracking), and communications 719
(e.g., short message service or SMS, unified message service or
UMS, instant messaging or e-mails).
Further according to this particular embodiment of the invention,
the common service platform (CSP 710) further comprises, among
others, functional services and environmental capabilities. The
functional services for CSP 710 exemplarily comprise services such
as user services 721, location services 722, registration 723,
system administration 724, back end services 725, access services
726, event services 727, charging services 728, content services
729, and payment services 731. The functional capabilities for CSP
710 exemplarily comprise capabilities such as security capabilities
732, performance capabilities 733, usability capabilities 734,
operational capabilities 735, maintenance capabilities 736, legal
capabilities 737, and support tools 738. Communicable at the other
side of common service platform or CSP 710 are third party
integrations 741, front office systems 742, back office systems
743, infrastructure 744, and data warehouses 745.
The invention advantageously combines known objects (integration of
legacy systems) through a communications structure (such as a
connectivity layer) by coupling them to a telecommunications
network, where the known objects are efficiently distributed to end
users of the network. Using a layered architecture, the complexity
of myriad services and applications delivered to and received by a
multitude of users by a plethora of service providers is overcome
in an efficient and optimal manner, which further provides
capability for management and billing efficiency and convenience.
Simplicity, efficiency, and facility of use are advantageously
achieved by a defined, standardized architecture using a plurality
of readily available modules and interfaces. The modules and
interfaces are re-useable for different services and applications,
but also can be reformulated for specific applications as the need
arises. For example, if a revenue-sharing billing percentage is
changed to reflect new contractual agreements or changed market
conditions, a simplistic change in the module utilizing a
dynamically configurable matrix advantageously allows different
percentages to be entered, where the changed module thereafter will
provide the desired result.
The unified connectivity mechanism according to the invention
(structurally illustrated as the connectivity layer 330 in FIG. 3)
provides abstract channel access to, e.g., wireless application
protocol (WAP) protocols in conjunctions such as WAP/GPRS, WAP/CSD
(circuit switched data), unstructured supplementary service data
(USSD), and through the Internet. Various gateways are also
integrated with the common service platform (CSP) according to the
invention through the connectivity layer 330, such as WAP GW, CGSN,
and SMSC, where a variety of messaging services are advantageously
provided. By separating the unified connectivity mechanism
according to the invention from the applications logic,
applications and service providers are shielded from the
complexities of network interconnections. User profiles and single
log-in capability allow customized access to all services and
applications with a single log-in, where convenience and ease of
use are advantageously provided to end users. The unified
connectivity mechanism according to the invention can also provide
means for session management by the telecommunications carriers as
needed and centralized control for the carriers, end users and
service providers. Further facilitating the convenience and ease of
use for services and applications providers, a unified connectivity
mechanism according to a specific embodiment of the invention
provides multiple service hosting located on a trusted domain
(e.g., the proprietary systems of telecommunications carriers) or
on an application domain (e.g., through an un-trusted access to the
Internet). Further embodiments of the common service platform (CSP)
according to the invention further include up-call, time-out,
application write transaction log, acknowledgement (ACK to ensure
service delivery), and error handling. In given embodiments of the
invention, the unified access application programming interfaces
for the connectivity layer 330 utilize universal resource locator
(URL), extensible markup language (XML) or hypertext transport
protocol (HTTP).
A preferred embodiment of the revenue-sharing mechanism according
to the invention (structurally illustrated schematically in the
billing component 520 of FIG. 5) utilizes micro-payments for
applications and services use on a data-charging basis (as opposed
to voice telephony duration charging). The common service platform
(CSP) according to the invention generates charging information
between third party service providers and telecommunications
carriers. A billing record is generated, filtered by a mediation
device to add any desired adjustments, and then transmitted for an
accounting in payment settlement. A dynamically configurable matrix
provides different pricing or revenue-sharing arrangements as
desired. The popularity of certain applications and services can be
measured by its service access history (the hit rate). A critical
marketing factor for services and applications is their position on
the display menu of a terminal device (e.g., mobile phone). The
invention advantageously provides dynamic menu generation based on
the hit rate. That is, the more times an end user accesses a given
service, the higher up on the display menu the item will appear,
where convenience and ease of use are advantageously achieved for
the end user as well as marketing advantages are afforded to the
service providers. If a service provider desires to pay for higher
menu visibility, the invention can provide such menu visibility
using a dynamically configurable matrix for display menu entry,
where catalogues of services can also be provided.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates an
exemplary plurality of services supported by a common service
platform (CSP) according to another preferred embodiment of the
invention. The CSP according to the invention advantageously
provides applications independently operable from the access device
at an end user, content in varied formats and the underlying
communications network. As an application program interface (API),
the CSP according to the invention advantageously provides a
standardized manner in enabling the interaction between
applications, access devices at the end users, content channels and
formats, and communications network. Operatively, the applications
will not be part of the CSP, while using the services provided by
the CSP. The CSP services according to a preferred embodiment of
the invention primarily comprise user service 100, location service
160, content service 130, access service 120, application
registration service 180, charging service 150, event service 140,
backend system service 170, system management and administration
service 191, and payment service 192.
The user service 100 according to this preferred embodiment of the
invention, through the CSP API, provides applications with
information about the end users. This user service 100
advantageously enables applications to obtain a unique user
identifier and associated information needed for end-user
personalization. A user profile enables identification and
authentication of end users. Administration of the user profiles
will be performed through the system management and administration
service 191, which is described hereinafter in further detail.
The location service 160 according to this preferred embodiment of
the invention, through the CSP API, provides applications with
location information about the end user device. The location
information will include network and geographic position, while
supporting location-dependent applications. For fixed networks in
general, no or little geographic information is available other
than from the subscriber database. The location service 160 is
applicable to scenarios where end users freely roam between
different mobile networks as well as Internet protocol or IP-based
telephony services (e.g., voice over IP or VoIP).
The content service 130 according to this preferred embodiment of
the invention, through the CSP API, provides applications the
ability to request content in different formats from a plurality of
content providers. Information about content providers will be
stored in a profile, including properties about the content
provider such as session key information.
The access service 120 according to this preferred embodiment of
the invention provides application developers independent
operability from the particularized end user access methodology,
which depends on the type of user access device such as GSM, PC or
PDA. The physical access devices and associated access technology
are abstracted through the CSP API and device driver. The content
presented in the user devices is modified depending on user
preferences using relevant style sheet. A device profile is
maintained, including information about the device types. The
device information will be updated by the system management and
administration service 191, which is described hereinafter in
further detail. The access service will further provide setup,
maintenance and release functionalities between end users and
applications.
The application registration service 180 according to this
preferred embodiment of the invention application developers and
third party service providers the ability to register an
application and make it available for user subscription. An
application profile is maintained, acting as an information nexus
for applications. The application profile will include, e.g.,
application identifiers, security registers and categories. The
system management and administration service 191 can be used in
updating the application profile. The application registration
service 180 is readily available for end users subscribing to
internal applications, third party applications, or third party
application providers subscribing to application components or
library functions supplied by the common service platform (CSP).
The application registration service 180 will likewise support
transmission of information to the applications, and charging
services (such as charging service 150, hereinafter described in
further detail) by providing corresponding charging rates for
applications.
Supported by the common service platform or CSP, the charging
service 150 according to this preferred embodiment of the invention
charges end users for using applications. The CSP will support
application creation based on existing applications. The CSP also
supports charging application developers for using existing
applications or components in creating new applications.
For charging developers for existing applications, the application
developers pay for the right to use their applications. One-time
charge is available as part of an intellectual property or know how
or technology transfer between application developers. The CSP can
likewise support the charging of application developers for using
existing applications in creating new applications.
Another charging option for the charging service 150 is revenue
sharing among application developers. For instance, an end user is
charged for using an application, which in turn is built by using
other applications. The charging records produced by the CSP will
include, in detail, all applications that are invoked in a session.
A post processing system accordingly produces the bills for the end
users, and calculates revenue distribution among application
developers.
In addition, the applications can request the CSP to generate and
log charging detail records or CDRs. The CDRs will include
application and end user identification, date and time, item
identification, quantity and associated information needed for
billing and accounting. An event service 140, hereinafter described
in further detail, will enable the applications to define the
corresponding requirements in capturing and providing application
inquiries. The charging service 150 can also utilize the backend
system API in sending CDRs to either billing or mediator devices
that collect GSM CDRs. Moreover, the charging service 150 can
support charging for prepaid and postpaid usage for end users. An
end user is not necessarily a user subscriber to the GSM network,
as the CSP according to the invention supports separation of GSM
subscription from subscriptions to applications supported by the
CSP.
The CSP services according to this preferred embodiment of the
invention further comprise an event service 140. An event is an
occurrence, something that happens. A simple event can be, e.g., an
end-user accessing an application to buy movie tickets. A more
complex event can be defined as combination of a number of simple
events. Triggers are events that cause specified response(s) from
the system either immediately or at a predetermined time. Such a
response can be as simple as creating an event log, or as complex
as invoking one or more applications. Triggers can be of two types,
namely time critical and non-time critical triggers. While
time-critical triggers are handled as part of an application
process, non-time critical triggers are generally processed
off-line. Given that the limited processing power available to the
CSP, off-line processing of non-time critical triggers optimally
yields much better application performance (e.g., in terms of
response time) than online processing of the triggers.
An event such as a system failure report is treated as a time
critical trigger that immediately activates the associated
specified response(s), such as invoking diagnostic programs, or
alerting the system administrators. The event service 140
advantageously allows the applications to define simple events to
be monitored, and specify what information will be logged when the
defined events happen. Through the utilization of the events, the
CSP event service allows applications to define triggers and
associate specified actions with the triggers. The CSP according to
the invention will also provide the ability to publish an event,
where a publisher is an entity that generates an event notification
message. The CSP will also provide the ability for an entity to
subscribe to an event, where a subscriber is an entity that
registers interest for a particular event with an event distributor
who can accordingly notify the end users or subscribers.
The network resource service 190 according to this preferred
embodiment of the invention provides call processing capabilities
of the network as viewed from a CSP-based application. The network
resource service 190 is capable of establishing, maintaining,
modifying and releasing calls between specified parties. A party in
a call can be an end user or a network device such as announcement
devices. Additional features can also be included in the network
resource service 190 for acting in an agent role on behalf of a
party. Applications acting as an agent for a party are capable of
modifying the processing of calls initiated by call parties,
initiating calls between call parties or representing the interests
of another party not directly involved in the call. The network
resource service 190 will allow the CSP to interrogate network
entities such as home location registers (HLRs), visitor location
registers (VLRs) or message service center (MSC) in retrieving
information needed for operating the same.
Through the backend system service 170 according to this preferred
embodiment of the invention, the common service platform or CSP
interacts with existing and future business systems (e.g., customer
care or billing systems) as well as external systems. Through the
backend system service 170, charging information as produced by the
CSP will be output to the billing system for further processing.
For prepaid end users, the billing system will use an interface to
inform the CSP the remaining credits for the respective end users.
The CSP can accordingly determine whether to grant an end user's
request to use an application, suspend or release an ongoing
session. Charging information can also be directly output to
external systems for billing settlement. Through interaction with
customer care systems, provisioning of CSP-based applications
(including those for creating, modifying and deleting end user
subscriptions to applications) can advantageously be performed
through a single interface.
The system management and administration service 191 according to
this preferred embodiment of the invention provides operation and
maintenance support to the CSP itself and applications run by the
CSP, such as performance management, fault management,
configuration management and security management. Moreover, the
system management and administration service 191 advantageously
provides an interface allowing operation and management information
to be forwarded to a central management system in the form of an
alert or notification.
The payment service 192 according to this preferred embodiment of
the invention allows end users to pay for using application
services by credit card or debit card. The common service platform
or CSP according to the invention may or may not serve as a
financial clearing house, where an acquiring bank or financial
institution acts as the payment partner therefor. The payment
partner will be responsible for payment transactions between
collaborating banks, financial institutions and credit card
clearing houses. A CSP payment interface will enable an end user to
enter card details through the running application. For instance,
for an Internet user who purchases products or agrees to pay for
services on a website, the participating e-commerce merchant can
redirect the end user's browser to the CSP payment interface for
entering credit card details. The end-to-end security will need to
be jointly implemented with the payment partner (i.e., an acquiring
bank or financial institution). At the minimum, payment data from
applications to payment services will be protected by encryption
with shared decrypting keys. All payment requests and results will
accordingly be logged in the CSP. The payment service 192 will also
provide management functions for managing merchant records,
reporting of payment transactions, data mining and call center
operation.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates an
exemplary software architecture of a common service platform (CSP)
according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention. The
CSP software architecture according to this preferred embodiment of
the invention primarily comprises a plurality of layers, including
client layer 1100, presentation and channel layer 1200, business
logic layer 1300, infrastructure layer 1400, peripheral layer 1500
and universal layer 1600.
The client layer 1100 according to this preferred embodiment of the
invention comprises a plurality of client devices, which end users
use in accessing CSP services. Exemplary client devices include
landline telephones, GSM mobile phones, GPRS telephones, WAP
telephones, Java phone, personal computers (PCs) with web browsers,
Internet servers, or personal digital assistant (PDAs) with
wireless connections.
The presentation and channel layer 1200 according to this preferred
embodiment of the invention primarily comprises presentation
services and channel services. Presentation services for the
presentation and channel layer 1200 will require a hypertext
transfer protocol (HTTP) web server for web service provision. An
exemplary HTTP web server for the presentation and channel layer
1200 will support HTTP requests from clients, manage, collate and
service hypertext markup language (HTML) web pages (including
static or dynamic content) for the requesting clients, and support
mechanisms for locating and invoking server processing and business
logic processing through common gateway interface (CGI) scripts or
Java servlets. A servlet is an application designed to run on a
server in the womb of a permanently resident CGI mother program
written in Java that provides services for it. The exemplary HTTP
web server for the presentation and channel layer 1200 can further
support secure sockets layer or SSL security, provide web server
extensions to enable support for application servers, manage and
serve different content for a plurality of client requests. SSL is
a protocol used for communicating over an encrypted connection, and
for authenticating none, one or both of the participants in that
connection. SSL allows session keys to be exchanged in encrypting
traffic following the transmission of public keys from a website to
an end user's browser, where no a priori secret password or private
key is needed (even though a login process is optionally
available).
Heterogeneous support of mobile devices is further included in a
web environment capable of delivering content to a variety of
platforms. For such a web environment, web services will include
capabilities allowing multiple servers to asynchronously work on a
single request in a generally simultaneous manner. Wed standards
supported by such web services will include wireless markup
language (WML), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), hypertext
markup language (HTML) or secure sockets layer (SSL).
Personalization services will maintain and provide information for
different users. Profile services can also be extended to provide
services for holding permissible client preferences. Web page
presentation for different end users or client devices can
accordingly be generated based on the personalization
information.
For data composition and decomposition, business logic is utilized,
such as business logic layer 1300. Data generated by business logic
components, as the core requirement and component for services, are
composed or decomposed by the common service platform or CSP
according to the invention. For web application services, an
application server is a key enabler of services provided by
e-business applications. Even though an application server is
generally integrated into the web environment, it is web protocol
independent, which can be integrated into other technologies and
channel protocols. The application server provides an environment
for the applications to execute and enhance the application
programming environment, particularly for web-based e-business
applications.
For the business logic layer 1300, there will be business processes
that incorporate actual business logic. The business processes
according to the invention primarily comprise service management,
customer management and device management. The business logic layer
1300 further comprises access control services, which account for
user authentication, resource access authorization and control,
process authorization and control, whose access control rules and
policies are dependent on business needs. The business logic layer
1300 further comprises activity dispatch and control services that
determine which activity to conduct and which process to invoke
when accepting client requests.
The infrastructure layer 1400 according to this preferred
embodiment of the invention primarily comprises administration
services, network services, transaction services, messaging
services, directory services, synchronization services, database
services, state management and log services (hereinafter described
in further detail).
Administration services for the infrastructure layer 1400 regularly
maintain and administer components, which define the required
functionalities, in the common service platform or CSP according to
the invention. The administration services for the infrastructure
layer 1400 entail services including third party application
administration, platform configuration and fine tuning, log file
maintenance and archiving, and general monitoring and housekeeping
functionalities.
Network services for the infrastructure layer 1400 are established
for deployment of e-business infrastructures based on exemplary
network protocols such as transmission control protocol/Internet
protocol or TCP/IP. TCP/IP is a protocol piggybacked on top of IP
that the Internet uses to transfer data packets. TCP/IP, on which
other special-purpose Internet protocols can be further
piggybacked, allows transmission of bi-directional, generally
error-free, continuous binary data streams, as well as interleaving
of a plurality of data streams in the same connection.
Transaction services for the infrastructure layer 1400 provide the
common service platform (CSP) according to the invention with the
capability to handle transaction processes. In particular, the
transaction services can log, propagate and verify results for each
transaction in the CSP.
Messaging services for the infrastructure layer 1400 allow an
application to send messages to other applications, or receive
messages from other applications. The messaging services for the
infrastructure layer 1400 further provide a queuing mechanism that
can reliably hold messages should partnering applications be
unavailable. Applications can select a specific level of service
quality for message delivery that the messaging services will
deliver. The messaging services will deliver each message once and
only once, even in the event of system or network failures, should
an application requires. A plurality of message types is available,
including, e.g., application-defined requests or events, text
messages, Java objects, or extensible markup language (XML)
documents.
Directory services for the infrastructure layer 1400 manage a
system-wide directory and naming service that maintains information
about characteristics of potential resources or entities in the
system including, e.g., services, end users, data stores or
applications. The directory services maintain characteristics about
each resource, which generally includes information such as names,
location and attributes. The directory services also serve as a
critical component in managing the information regarding customer
databases, storing information such as user profiles,
authentication data and personalization information.
Synchronization services for the infrastructure layer 1400 are used
to synchronize data among multiple repositories. For instance, user
profile information are kept in various places including
personalization databases, authentication or authorization
databases. The synchronization services ensure consistency among
the different repositories.
Database services for the infrastructure layer 1400 are responsible
for processing and managing data within a number of database
systems. Should the common service platform or CSP according to the
invention include a relational database management system/or RDBMS,
the database services for the infrastructure layer 1400 provide the
facilities for managing operational data in supporting business
transactions and accessing business systems data for intelligent
decision-making.
State management services for the infrastructure layer 1400, or
connection and session management, support a seamless and
persistent connection across a plurality of disconnected events and
transactions. State management services recognize the source over
multiple independent connections on a wide timescale.
Log services for the infrastructure layer 1400 are used in
producing various kinds of logs including system logs, application
logs, billing logs, and auditing logs. These logs are further
processed or analyzed by data warehouse systems, system
administration tools and billing systems in providing more valuable
information to enterprises. Network devices, operating systems,
applications and middleware produce their own logs. Post processing
is also available in managing the logs. Data aggregation includes
text-to-database conversion, format translation, and tracking index
setup.
The peripheral layer 1500 according to this preferred embodiment of
the invention primarily comprises third party systems and backend
systems.
Third party systems are partnering systems that are part of the
overall, integrated common service platform or CSP. Third party
applications deliver enhanced services, content and products to end
users. The third party applications access the CSP according to the
invention through a software development kit or SDK. Services of
the third party applications are also available through other
standard access formats in addition to SDK access.
Backend systems (or legacy systems) in the peripheral layer 1500
are commonly linked to frontend web applications. The backend
systems may currently be running on a variety of existing
architectures and systems. The backend systems are integrated with
the CSP according to the invention in a various manners according
to the requirements. For integrating third party applications, the
CSP is the primary means of integration for the backend
systems.
The universal layer 1600 according to this preferred embodiment of
the invention primarily comprises security services including three
primary parts, namely, network and system security, application
security, and operational security. The network and system security
of the security services in the universal layer 1600 serves as the
base security for the system and networking components. The
application security of the security services in the universal
layer 1600 ensures security of the base application packages, their
configuration and development of application code. The operational
security of the security services in the universal layer 1600
ensures security of the ongoing operation.
The system management component for the common service platform or
CSP according to the invention further defines the structure and
services in integrating the management functions across the layers
of the application stack. The system management component for the
CSP according to the invention primarily comprises management
agents, management framework, management applications, and
management console, which are hereinafter described in further
detail.
The management agents for system management of the CSP according to
the invention monitor and control resources used by an e-business
application, which generally run on the same machine for the
resources they manage. The management agents respond to specific
requests from management applications and collect management
information about the resources. Managed resources and their agents
exist at each layer of the application stack.
The management framework for system management of the CSP according
to the invention supports communications between management agents
and management applications. The management framework for system
management in the CSP further provides a storage mechanism for
collecting management information, and supports a mechanism in
applying policies and procedures to the management environment.
The management applications for system management of the CSP
according to the invention analyze data collected from the
management agents and initiate commands to agents for problem
resolution. Management applications focus on a particular function
(such as a software distribution application), as well as
management aspects of a particular resource (such as a database
management application).
The management console for system management in the CSP provides a
consolidated, central view of resources and managed applications.
The system management component for the CSP infrastructure
according to the invention is built on and integrated with existing
and third party system management structures. Connection networks
linking the CSP components and related parties include, but not
limited to, GSM, GPRS/GSM, PSTN, intranet and the Internet.
The common service platform or CSP according to the invention
further comprises components in their respective hierarchies in
terms of their respective responsibilities, static relationships,
and the manner by which they collaborate with each other in
delivering the required functionalities. A component is a
relatively independent part of a system, which is characterized by
its responsibilities and by the interfaces it offers. Each
component has corresponding responsibilities, required service
levels, design rationale and implementation approach. Repository
components are responsible for ensuring persistence of data and
providing data management functions such as create, delete, modify,
or retrieve (including retrieve based on a key, and retrieve based
on selection criteria).
Availability of the CSP system according to the invention is
dependent on the needs of end users. The availability expectations
of the CSP system relate to how many hours per day, days per week,
and weeks per year the CSP application will be available to end
users and how quickly it is able to recover from failures. Some of
the system functionalities may be used intermittently during
certain parts of the day, week, month, or year. CSP functions will
be readily available should the needs of the end users become
mission critical. The usage pattern and expectations of the CSP
functionalities as a whole yield the corresponding availability
requirements for the CSP system. For reliability, the CSP
applications according to the invention, with corresponding
architecture and infrastructure in predictably and reliably
delivering functionalities therefor, generally produce the same
results consistently under different operating conditions.
Security requirements are needed to ensure the CSP system's ability
to safeguard data against loss, negative exposure or external
disruption. For data sensitivity in the CSP, a plurality of
sensitivity levels is applied with respect to the CSP system, end
users and third party providers. Data sensitivity can be
categorized into at least two levels, namely, sensitive and not
sensitive. For data that are not sensitive, e.g., public content
such as customer menu, service catalog, news and weather, no data
encryption is required. For data that are sensitive, e.g.,
organizational information, sales data, billing data, invoice data,
authentication and credit card information, data are encrypted for
transmission over public networks. Regardless of data sensitivity,
all data access will be controlled by existing authentication and
authorization procedures for end users.
For authentication, a user ID or password (such as one having a
minimum length) will be required for authenticating Internet end
users for accessing the common service platform or CSP according to
the invention. Subscriber identity module or SIM cards are used for
authenticating mobile CSP users. A session expiration or timeout
after a certain time period is also available. For access control,
the CSP system according to the invention allows administration of
access rules within a plurality of applications, and supports
multiple user classes or groups, each having access to different
functionalities and data. The CSP system can further include the
capability to customize access for each user, e.g., by overriding
the group access protocols. For network administration, the CSP
according to the invention utilizes the concept of data zones for
its systems. Exemplary data zones includes a red zones where
systems are completely untrusted, such as any system on external
networks, a yellow zone having somewhat trusted systems generally
including systems that communicate externally, and a green zone
having trusted systems generally including internal core-business
systems. Firewalls stand on zone boundaries. No persistent
application data (as identified in terms of data sensitivity) will
be stored on yellow or red zone systems, except session data. There
are generally no connections between red and green zone systems.
Firewall rules ensure that only authorized yellow zone hosts can
contact green zone hosts.
Non-repudiation is the capability to capture irrefutable evidence
that an end user performed a transaction as the system received the
transaction. The common service platform or CSP according to the
invention utilizes user ID, password, and SIM cards in identifying
the end users. The CSP further maintains usage event log as the
user transaction is being performed, where full audit logging is
allowed for security events such as failed login, password reset,
user ID creation and registration.
The CSP architecture according to the invention facilitates the
establishment of a systematic and thorough maintenance and
administration program therefor. The CSP architecture includes
components that allow for the proactive management of both the
systems infrastructure and the applications that execute on that
infrastructure. Systems management components are defined in
allowing for the effective, centralized management of hardware,
systems software and middleware, as well as applications. For
system management, requirements are needed for maintaining and
administrating the CSP software and hardware systems. System
management generally involves activities such as adding and
removing end users and privileges, monitoring the CSP system,
tuning infrastructure and application components, updating
application components in meeting changing business requirements
(e.g., adding new functions and changing data formats), fixing bugs
and adapting the software to new hardware devices, distributing and
updating of application and data files, providing hardware and
software diagnostics or repairs.
Event management optimizes customer service by generating,
gathering, and analyzing events throughout the common service
platform or CSP according to the invention to proactively identify
and resolve conditions leading to potential problems. CSP
applications produce a time stamp log with different levels of
severity in reporting such events as, e.g., connectivity failures,
message flow problems, application failures, or operations
exceeding maximum response time. Integrated applications monitoring
will be required in reporting to the management system for the CSP.
There are at least four levels in monitoring CSP system resources,
as follows:
TABLE-US-00001 Level Resources Remarks Operating System (e.g., AIX)
error This monitoring level system level log, central processing
focuses at the operating unit or CPU, memory, system or OS level,
input/output or I/O, primarily on hardware and auditing events,
file system resources. system free space, paging space, network
traffic. Subsystem Processes and error This monitoring level level
events (e.g., error log) focuses on CSP software for CSP component
component subsystems. subsystems. Application System-related events
The CSP applications are level from CSP applications. able to write
system- related events to flat files for readily available event
collection and monitoring. This monitoring level primarily focuses
on system events occurring in user transactions. Network level
Network topology and This monitoring level events, or network
focuses on the network for availability status. network
management.
For every resource being monitored, there is a corresponding
threshold and severity, including severity levels corresponding to
real-time alert mechanisms to alert operators or system
administrators, as follows:
TABLE-US-00002 Severity level Severity Conditions Fatal 1 Resource
is operationally malfunctional or on its way to full-scale
malfunction, which is considered to be unrecoverable. Large numbers
of end users are affected and cannot perform their tasks. Critical
2 Resource has achieved the threshold level for criticality as
defined by the resource owner. The situation is recoverable if
there is an immediate response. Failure of a device will be avoided
if a redundant function is available. User work is impacted but not
stopped. Warning 3 Resource value deviates from normal operation,
but no imminent failure is expected. Customer work is not affected.
Harmless 4 Conditions include informational events such as
confirmation of a successful event completion, or resolution of
previous event or device status (i.e., device up).
Subsystems status monitoring for the CSP involves the monitoring of
the working status of CSP-related subsystems. A mechanism in the
CSP is available for operators and system administrators to check
subsystem status using a network ping or service ping in real
time.
For change management, changes are introduced into the CSP
environment in minimizing disruption to that environment,
including, e.g., staging and accepting content changes. CSP content
changes are allowed generally without downtime., where application
changes are coordinated among applications and rollback of
application changes are supported.
For configuration management, configuration information are
identified in maintaining and establishing the information
management system, collecting the configuration information,
populating the database, and making the information available to
other processes in the CSP environment. The CSP application code
utilizes a configuration management tool in handling version
control.
For availability, backup and recovery management, appropriate
procedures and necessary data are in place and ensured to be
readily available for reestablishing CSP systems and data in the
event of a failure. The persistent data in the CSP are backed up on
a periodic basis (e.g., daily), without requiring downtime for
backing up CSP applications. Redundant backup (e.g., weekly) can
also be performed for a more comprehensive backup. CSP systems
support backup methods such as backup using local tape drives in
each server or system image backup or low volume data backup using
existing backup solutions.
For performance and capacity management, the measurement, analysis,
monitoring, modeling, and periodic fine-tuning of components are
performed in meeting performance and capacity requirements in the
CSP, where web statistics, peaks and trends are analyzed in
anticipating issues.
For balance configuration, the design of the CSP architecture takes
into consideration factors such as optimal availability and load
balance. The load balancing component is a server that is able to
dynamically monitor and balance transmission control protocol or
TCP servers and applications in real time. The load balancing
component, which is utilized in all CSP component subsystems having
web interfaces, allows heavily accessed web sites to increase
capacity, since multiple TCP servers can be dynamically linked in a
single entity that appears in the network as a single logical
server. One side effect of this load balancing is that it not only
can increase network scalability but also improve availability and
reliability of the web servers. In the event of a failure of one
web server, all requests are directed to and distributed over the
remaining servers. The network dispatcher itself provides a cluster
mechanism where a standby network dispatcher takes over dispatching
functions when the primary network dispatcher fails.
The invention, including at least the preferred and other
embodiments described herein, accordingly provides an optimal
architecture for mobile common service platform and software in
telecommunications systems that advantageously overcomes at least
the aforementioned and other shortcomings in the art, and more
particularly, a telecommunications system that advantageously
promotes standardized, open connectivity for service and
applications providers in attracting and facilitating providers so
that services will attract users. The invention advantageously
provides seamless integration of access methods using multiple
types of devices and content hosts, i.e., convergence of mobile
Internet applications, in providing a comprehensive information and
service environment for users. According to the invention, terminal
devices, and particularly mobile phones, are advantageously
provided with efficient and ready access to services and
applications through the Internet and other networks, where mobile
commerce ("m-commerce") is optimally achieved and realized. The
virtuous cycle of a large installed base of users attracting
applications providers with the number of users increasing because
of the new applications is advantageously realized as well, where
the convenience and efficiency of providing those applications to
users are optimally implemented in accordance with the
invention.
With at least the embodied common service platform and software
described herein, service provider can quickly and easily create
and host applications for users, where terminal device abstraction
is advantageously achieved so that applications only need to be
created once advantageously without redundant and inefficient
duplication of creative effort. The invention advantageously and
optimally provides standardized access to users to common services
and resources. Moreover, a plurality of access technologies are
readily available to users, who are transparent to the underlying
network infrastructure, equipment and devices and other
capabilities in optimally acquiring efficient application
development. The invention further provides a service platform that
advantageously enables efficient addition of new services, access
methods and terminal devices, where a reliable, high-performance
and scalable architecture is advantageously provided as well.
It would be apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention
can be embodied in various ways and implemented in many variations.
For instance, a network of computers is described herein in
illustrating various embodiments of the invention. The invention is
accordingly applicable in this and other types of networks, such as
a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a
local area network (LAN) or even wireless communications networks
for mobile phones and personal digital assistant (PDA) devices.
Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the
spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, the process steps
of the method according to the invention will include methods
having substantially the same process steps as the method of the
invention to achieve substantially the same results. Substitutions
and modifications have been suggested in the foregoing Detailed
Description, and others will occur to one of ordinary skill in the
art. All such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in
the art are intended to be included within the scope of the
following claims and their equivalents.
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